Tour to create awareness of natural farming

Tour to create awareness of natural farming

Scientist wants State to set up 100 field schools "Farmers can assemble in fields and learn about it through practice"


Agriculture scientist G. Nammalvar speaking at a function at the Grand Anicut in Thanjavur district on Tuesday. — Photo: M. Srinath

Thanjavur: As many as 100 field schools for training farmers in natural farming should be created in the State, agriculture scientist G. Nammalvar said at Grand Anicut in Thanjavur district on Tuesday.

Concluding his awareness tour from Vedaranyam to Grand Anicut to popularise natural farming, Mr. Nammalvar said that there was no need for a black board or a piece of chalk to preach natural farming.

"Farmers can assemble in fields and learn about natural farming through practice," he said. During his tour, he came across hundreds of people who evinced interest in knowing about natural farming. A resolution adopted at the meeting here said that the Government should take interest in popularising natural farming.

Subsidy

Subsidy for agriculture inputs should be given to farmers who take up natural farming. Separate shops should be earmarked at `uzhavar sandhais' for selling organic vegetables. Agriculture colleges should have subjects on natural farming and farmers who rear cattle and sheep should be encouraged, the resolution said. Wastelands should be converted into green pastures.

Ban sought

A ban should be imposed on pesticides that have been banned in various countries. All transgenic experiments should be banned in the State, it added.

Import of food grain from foreign countries should be banned. Cultivable lands should not be used for other purposes. Encroachments on rivers and canals should be removed and stringent punishment should be given to those who encroach water resources. The resolution also said that cultivation of medicinal herbs should be encouraged in all villages.

State farmers' commission should be created as per the recommendation of agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan. Thamizhaga Iyarkai Uzhavar Iyakkam, Federation of Farmers' Association and Federation of Consumer Organisations of Tamil Nadu and Pondichery (FEDCOT) had extended support to Mr. Nammalvar's tour.